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Propionic AcidemiaPropionic acidemia is an inherited disorder of inborn error of intermediary metabolism that may present in the early neonatal period with progressive encephalopathy and death due to a secondary hyperammonemia. Propionis acidemia is inherited in a autosomal recessive pattern and occurs in about 1 in 100,000 live births in the United States. The condition appears to be more common in Saudi Arabia with a frequency of 1 in 2,000 to 5,000 people. Individuals with propionic acidemia are unable to process certain proteins and lipids properly. The condition, which usually appears in early infancy, is characterized by poor feeding, vomiting, weak muscle tone (hypotonia), and lethargy. The effects of propionic acidemia can be life-threatening. Mutations in the PCCA and PCCB genes cause propionic acidemia. The PCCA and PCCB genes make protein subunits that come together to form an enzyme called propionyl-CoA carboxylase. This enzyme is responsible for one step in the breakdown of several amino acids, certain lipids, and cholesterol. Mutations in the PCCA or PCCB gene disrupt the function of the enzyme, preventing these molecules from being broken down. As a result, a substance called propionyl-CoA, proponic acid and other potentially toxic compounds can accumulate, causing the signs and symptoms of propionic acidemia. External link This article incorporates public domain text from The U.S. National Library of Medicine
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